"Eigo o hanashimasu ka?"
(Do you speak English?)
**blank look from innocent Japanese victim I've accosted**
Damn it, that sounded so much more fluent in my head. Well, if I start gabbling in English, they're likely to get the idea.
"I have no idea where I am. Seriously, completely lost. Am I even on this map I'm holding? Am I still in Japan? Yes, I must be because you look Japanese, but it's been hours since I've seen something familiar. Is there anything that resembles a Astronomical observatory around here?"
**Look of dawning comprehension appears on face of poor bystander. He looks at my map and points to a place about 5 inches off the side of it.**
"Arigatou!" I stammer and brace myself for a long walk.
Fortunately, where the USA has fire hydrants and the UK postboxes, Japan has drink vending machines. Hot or cold beverages in twenty different permutations, these machines are on every corner, complete with a recycling bin beside them for when you're done with the can. I revived on a mutant-sized can of Mountain Dew and trekked back home.
Upon arriving back at my desk, I discovered I'd been given a fan. It says "Truth" on it in Chinese characters.
(Do you speak English?)
**blank look from innocent Japanese victim I've accosted**
Damn it, that sounded so much more fluent in my head. Well, if I start gabbling in English, they're likely to get the idea.
"I have no idea where I am. Seriously, completely lost. Am I even on this map I'm holding? Am I still in Japan? Yes, I must be because you look Japanese, but it's been hours since I've seen something familiar. Is there anything that resembles a Astronomical observatory around here?"
**Look of dawning comprehension appears on face of poor bystander. He looks at my map and points to a place about 5 inches off the side of it.**
"Arigatou!" I stammer and brace myself for a long walk.
Fortunately, where the USA has fire hydrants and the UK postboxes, Japan has drink vending machines. Hot or cold beverages in twenty different permutations, these machines are on every corner, complete with a recycling bin beside them for when you're done with the can. I revived on a mutant-sized can of Mountain Dew and trekked back home.
Upon arriving back at my desk, I discovered I'd been given a fan. It says "Truth" on it in Chinese characters.